Craig James through the years

September 25, 2013 2:50 PM

Photo: Pat Sullivan/Associated Press

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Craig James tosses a football into the air at his father-in-law's home Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, in The Woodlands. James is a former SMU football star, New England Patriot and ESPN commentator. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) less

Craig James tosses a football into the air at his father-in-law's home Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, in The Woodlands. James is a former SMU football star, New England Patriot and ESPN commentator. (Cody Duty / Houston ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Craig James tosses a football into the air at his... Photo-5130799.69403 - Houston Chronicle

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Former Stratford High School running back Craig James is pictured in 1978.

Former Stratford High School running back Craig James is pictured in 1978.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Former Stratford High School running back Craig James is pictured... Photo-5130786.69403 - Houston Chronicle

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Craig James and his mother, Mrs. Charles Vickers, look over college brochures in 1979.

Craig James and his mother, Mrs. Charles Vickers, look over college brochures in 1979.

Jim Nantz, left, Mike Ditka, center, and Craig James kick off the 2000 NFL season on the outdoor set of 'The NFL Today' on CBS, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2000 from the corner of 5th Avenue and 59th Street in New York. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeff Neira) less

Jim Nantz, left, Mike Ditka, center, and Craig James kick off the 2000 NFL season on the outdoor set of 'The NFL Today' on CBS, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2000 from the corner of 5th Avenue and 59th Street in New York. ... more

In this March 13, 2011, file photo, college football analyst Craig James is seen in Lubbock, Texas. James has been granted time away from ESPN while he considers running for the U.S. Senate in Texas, ESPN said Friday, Dec. 16, 2011. James would be running for the 2012 Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison. (AP Photo/Geoffrey McAllister, File) less

In this March 13, 2011, file photo, college football analyst Craig James is seen in Lubbock, Texas. James has been granted time away from ESPN while he considers running for the U.S. Senate in Texas, ESPN said ... more

Photo: Geoffrey McAllister, Associated Press

In this March 13, 2011, file photo, college football analyst Craig... Photo-5130792.69403 - Houston Chronicle

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U.S. Senate candidates Craig James (R) and Ted Cruz (R) participate in a live debate held in the LeRoy and Lucile Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting at the University of Houston on Thursday, May 3, 2012, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle ) less

U.S. Senate candidates Craig James (R) and Ted Cruz (R) participate in a live debate held in the LeRoy and Lucile Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting at the University of Houston on Thursday, May 3, 2012, in ... more

U.S. Senate candidate Craig James (R) participates in a live debate held in the LeRoy and Lucile Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting at the University of Houston on Thursday, May 3, 2012, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle ) less

U.S. Senate candidate Craig James (R) participates in a live debate held in the LeRoy and Lucile Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting at the University of Houston on Thursday, May 3, 2012, in Houston. ( Mayra ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

U.S. Senate candidate Craig James (R) participates in a live debate... Photo-5130794.69403 - Houston Chronicle

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Republican candidates for U.S. Senate,Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, right, shakes hands Craig James as Ted Cruz has a mic put on his suit prior to the Belo Debate Friday night, April 13, 2012 at the WFAA studios in Dallas, Texas. The four are vying for the seat of retiring Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. (Brad Loper/The Dallas Morning News) less

Republican candidates for U.S. Senate,Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, right, shakes hands Craig James as Ted Cruz has a mic put on his suit prior to the Belo Debate Friday night, April 13, 2012 at the WFAA ... more

Republican candidates for U.S. Senate, Craig James, right, and Ted Cruz laugh about a text Cruz sent James earlier this week prior to the Belo Debate Friday night, April 13, 2012 at the WFAA studios in Dallas, Texas. The four (including Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and Tom Leppert) are vying for the seat of retiring Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. (Brad Loper/The Dallas Morning News) less

Republican candidates for U.S. Senate, Craig James, right, and Ted Cruz laugh about a text Cruz sent James earlier this week prior to the Belo Debate Friday night, April 13, 2012 at the WFAA studios in Dallas, ... more

U.S. Senate candidates, from left, Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Democrat Sean Hubbard, Republican Tom Leppert, Democrat Paul Sadler, Republican Craig James, and Republican Ted Cruz, participate in a live debate held in the LeRoy and Lucile Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting at the University of Houston on Thursday, May 3, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Mayra Beltran) less

Craig James takes a fundraising phone call Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, in The Woodlands. James is a former SMU football star, New England Patriot and ESPN commentator, and he is now running for the U.S. Senate as a Republican. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) less

Craig James takes a fundraising phone call Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, in The Woodlands. James is a former SMU football star, New England Patriot and ESPN commentator, and he is now running for the U.S. Senate as a ... more

Texas Republican primary candidate for the U.S. Senate Craig James speaks at a press conference Thursday, May 24, 2012, in Houston. Also vying for the partys nomination are Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, ex-Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and Ted Cruz. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) less

Texas Republican primary candidate for the U.S. Senate Craig James speaks at a press conference Thursday, May 24, 2012, in Houston. Also vying for the partys nomination are Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, ex-Dallas ... more